September might mean summer’s over for teachers and kids, but it’s not for everyone else. It’s actually one of the best times of the year to get away – families are back in their routines, which means fewer crowds and cheaper price tags. Plus, you can now visit destinations that were just a little too hot during those peak season months. Win, win, win.
Europe’s still looking nice and toasty in September, so we’re throwing the spotlight on classic spots Turkey, Portugal and Italy, as well as under-the-radar picks Bulgaria and Albania. Feeling tropical? This month’s wild card is Barbados. September’s officially hurricane season in the Caribbean, but the island sits just below the belt, so it swerves most of the storms.
Ready to jump in? Here’s your guide to the best places that are hot in September. Or if your heart already knows what it wants, lock it in on our deals page.
Turkey
Hottest pick – Antalya
You can always count on Turkey to deliver in the sunshine department, and Antalya’s no exception. Tucked on the south coast, it’s got temps that are still very much set to HOT in September, with an average of 31°C. The city is one of the country’s most popular picks, and it makes sense – it has a solid weather record, unreal beaches and loads going on. Spend days exploring historic sites, like the old town, Roman harbour and a second-century fort. Once you’ve had your culture fix, head to Konyaalti or Lara Beach to cool off with a swim. At eight kilometres, the latter’s the longest stretch of sand in Turkey, and the sea water will be lovely and warm around now, too.
Portugal
Summer in Portugal definitely doesn’t end once August’s over. Lisbon’s sitting in the late 20s, which is the perfect temperature for urban exploring and al fresco café culture – and its coastal location means you can throw in a beach day, too. It’s a similar story up north in Porto, except its exposed Atlantic Coast postcode cools things down by a few degrees – a winner if you like a sea breeze.
To dial up the beachy energy, it’s got to be the Algarve. The south coast packs in Blue Flag beaches like they’re going out of fashion – Albufeira alone has 10 sweet stretches to its name – and at 26°C, topping up the Vitamin D is so on.
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Bulgaria
Hottest pick – Sunny Beach
Flying under the radar on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast, Sunny Beach does what it says on the tin. Not only are there long hours of sunlight and mid-20s temperatures, but the sea water’s lovely and warm, too. The stretch of golden sand spans the length of the resort, and its Blue Flag status means every inch is clean and dreamy. Cafés, kiosks and bars line the prom when it’s time for an ice-cream or a cocktail, then once the sun goes down, lively clubs continue the buzz until the early hours.
Italy
Hottest pick – Sardinia
Sardinian summers are long, hot and dry. The island’s still sitting at a steamy 27°C in September, so it’s a great shout for some off-peak sunshine. Sardinia’s beaches set it apart from the rest of Italy – in the north, Costa Smeralda’s sands look like they’re from a Caribbean brochure, and they’re just as pretty down in the south near Villasimius. If you’re over in Alghero, every September the age-old town comes alive with buzzy parades, music and local traditions for Festa di San Michele.
Albania
Hottest pick – Tirana
If a city break’s more your vibe, September is Tirana’s time to shine. Summer in the city is elite, and all the historic sites and architecture look extra fine under blue skies and sun. The buildings are a bit of a melting pot, like the white-washed Et’hem Bey Mosque and a Venetian-style clock tower. Fancy heading inside somewhere shady? Head underground into Bunk’Art, a former Communist bunker turned museum. Once you’ve packed in the history, stroll through the streets and take a seat outside one of Tirana’s cool-and-colourful bars, or catch the sunset over the skyline from a rooftop spot.
Plot twist…
Barbados
This might seem like a rogue pick considering September is hurricane season in the Caribbean, but Barbados manages to avoid the worst of it – the island sits just south of the belt, so it’s pretty likely you’ll get a good amount of tropical sunshine with only the odd downpour here and there. The other silver lining is that most people give tropical a miss at this time of year, meaning empty beaches and sweet deals. Whether you’re going for the rum punch and chilled beats in St Lawrence Gap or Maxwell’s palm-fringed beaches, don’t let a little bit of rain stop you living your best island life.
Got your eye on one of September’s hot picks? Check out our holidays to narrow down your perfect pick.
Looking for more articles? You’ll find them on the Inspire homepage.
Author: Daisy Colley
Last updated: 03/07/2024
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